FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) ON THE REGISTRATION OF PUPILS AND REGISTRATION PROJECT MAY – AUGUST 2017

Is this registration exercise targeting Government schools only? What about private schools or schools not registered with the Ministry of Education?

This registration targets all school going children from primary one and above in all government and private schools including primary, secondary and post primary technical institutions

Will the non-schooling Children be registered?

This project targets to register only learners who are in learning institutions. Children who are not at school will be registered after this mass registration exercise during the continuous registration exercise at our centers at the districts/divisions.

For unregistered parents, what grace period will NIRA give for them to register and therefore have their children registered during the exercise timeframe?

There’s an ongoing continuous registration exercise at the NIRA offices located at the five KCCA division offices, and at District headquarters for the rest of the districts across the country. Such parents ought to use that opportunity to enroll for National IDs.

What arrangement is there for students/pupils who may be above 16 years?

Learners who are above 16 years and are in schools/ institutions shall be registered during the exercise and issued with National Identity Cards.

For children in boarding schools, what provision is there for parents to have forms filled?

Parents and Guardians are advised to use the time provided throughout the term to pick the forms from respective schools and return them so that their children may be registered.

Some children are from child headed families while others are in children’s homes. What is in place to ensure that they register?

The caretakers of such children’s homes will be responsible to ensure that they are registered. The details of the caretakers will be used in the process. As for child headed families, if there’s no other close relative an elder in the community shall take responsibility for the registration of such children.

For children whose parents are not registered, could a close relative like an Uncle or Aunt provide their NINs to enable the child’s registration?

Only parents who are duly registered for national IDs will be able to register their children because the system links each child to their parent. Guardians shall only be able to register orphans under their care.

Which LC1 or elder is to endorse on the application of the learner, is it the one near the school or the one at the home of the learner?

The one at the place of (Child’s) parent’s residence shall endorse the application form

Will the routine registration of persons for National IDs and other services stop during the implementation of the project?

The Continuous registration and issuance of National IDs will not be affected by the registration of students and pupil’s exercise. NIRA’s normal activities and services will continue as usual throughout and after this exercise.

Will pupils/students in international schools or foreign pupils/students in international and other regular schools also be registered?

Yes. All school going pupils and students will be registered. Foreign legally resident students will be registered on the Alien Identification register.

What if aliens collude with citizens to use their National Identification Numbers (NINs) to register alien students?

It is in contravention of the Registration of Persons Act 2015 for anyone to fraudulently register or support the registration of another except through the regular procedures. Such people if detected will be prosecuted in the courts of law.

What happens if neither of the child’s parents is available to support the registration of a child?

Any person having parental responsibility for the child may fill the form and provide information on the parentage of the child where available. Such persons may for example include a guardian.

What is NIRA doing about duplication?

The technology that deployed by NIRA is able to detect and disable any kind of duplication.

Where will students pick their National IDs from?

National IDs will be produced for students/Pupils who are 16 years and above. They will be required to pick their National IDs from our established centers at respective districts where the schools are located.

How are the people in hard-to-reach areas and areas with scattered populations (e.g. Karamoja) going to receive information about the registration exercise?

Local leaders will enable our teams reach out into their communities. As for registration, NIRA through the District IT Officers (DITOs) have a special arrangement for mobile outreaches for hard to reach (places) schools.

What are the requirements for this registration exercise?

Parents need to pick the registration form from the schools/institutions, complete the form, attach a copy of their National ID (either parent or both) and return the form to the school.

Are both parents required to attach copies of their National IDs?

It is required that both parents attach copies of their National IDs if both are registered. However, where only one of parents has a National ID, the child shall be registered.

Are the parents required to be present for their children’s registration

Parents are not required to be present for their children to register if all the required information has been provided. However where there are identified gaps in the information provided for registration, parents/guardians may be required to be present.

Frequently Asked Questions and Information about the National Identity CardWhat is the National ID Card?

i. It is a National document that is issued to only citizens of Uganda of or above the age of 18 years with a legal mandate of issuing it citizens aged below.

ii. It is a biometrically enhanced, machine readable card with digitally embedded information about the holder.

iii.The holder is required or encouraged to carry it as a means of confirming their identity where the need arises.

The identification system uses biometric techniques such as the fingerprint and facial recognition to confirm the identity of the card holder

What are the major benefits of the National Identity Card?

The National Identity Card will;

a) Facilitate the delivery of national development based on reliable & verifiable data:

i. Enable Government plan properly and provide easy access to good social facilities & services

ii. benefiting from the National Health System and school capitation grants based on verifiable identities and data at the local level

iii. Facilitate more transparent and trustworthy business transactions

iv. Help keep crime low in our communities with quick and reliable identification of criminals

g) Electoral Process Enhancement – voter list generation & voter verification (Smart elections) – the National Identity Card is also a pre-requisite for National Elections as a voting requirement

h) Financial Institutions/Banks – secure and undoubtable verification system in order to access financial services

i) Births & Deaths Registration – improved child security

j) Driver & Vehicle Licensing – validation & de-duplication

k) Hospitality & Tourism Services

l) Schools & Universities Examinations / Admissions System

m) Public Service – employee verification

n) Employment Generation – youth employment schemes

By 2017, no Ugandan citizen can access a school for his/her child without proof of Identification using the National Identity Card

Can I ask someone to enroll on my behalf?

Every Ugandan citizen has the right to have National Identity card and registration is not delegetable. Registration for the 0+ starts after the General Elections in 2016.

The major safeguards when you enroll for an identity card will be your finger prints, facial features, etc. No one can be able to capture these in your absence

How will I use my identity card?

There are many situations where you need to prove that you are who you say you are. The identity card will allow you to do this in number of ways;

a) Proving Age

b) Traveling abroad within the East African Region

c) On day to day basis for identification to law enforcement officers.

d) Accessing financial services e.g. Opening a bank account.

e) Processing land transactions

f) Confirming right to work.

g) Accessing public services for which citizens are entitled.

h)Identifying you as a citizen for purposes of voting.

How does the Identification Card look like?

Many of the design features on your identity card comply with international standards so that it can be used as a travel document with in the East African Region. The card shall have a card number printed on the card and a unique national identification number.

The card contains different security features and your personal information including names, signature, photo, and fingerprints among others.

What then is the National Identification Number?

A National Identification Number (NIN) is that Unique Number that is issued to any citizen of Uganda who has been identified and registered. The NIN is computer generated and no two people can have or share the same NIN. This number is the Citizenship number and doesn’t change even when a new card is printed

Why should I apply to be registered and issued with a NIN and card

The law requires that all Ugandans must be registered and issued with National Identification Numbers and those who are 18/or above age (with an exception of issuing it to people 16 or above) shall be issued with National Identity Cards.

Why you should apply to be registered:-

i. To be able to prove your Uganda citizenship.

ii. To be able to assert your rights and status as a citizen.

iii. To prove your identity in the quest for national services.

iv. To be eligible for employment both in the private and public sectors in Uganda.

v. To be used to vote during national elections.

vi. It’s mandatory under the law for all citizens to apply to be registered

What documents do I need to go with to apply and be registered for a National Identification Number and National Identity Card?

It should be understood that for one to be issued with a National Identification Number and National Identity Card, they must be verified and approved as citizens of Uganda. Uganda citizenship is a question of law and fact. Therefore different types of citizenship may call for different documents to prove different facts as maybe required under Uganda citizenship laws.

No.

Category

Documents required/Proof

1.

Birth/descent

Indigenous community/tribe (third schedule of Constitution). The residence or origin or place of birth must be within the boundaries of Uganda as at 1st February 1926. Documents: birth certificate, L.C letter…

2.

Registration

Certificate of Citizenship issued by the National Citizenship and Immigration Board

3.

Naturalization

Certificate of Citizenship issued by the National Citizenship and Immigration Board

4.

Presumption/foundling/Adopted

Certificate of Citizenship Issued by the National Citizenship and Immigration Board

Other documents may be as proof in support of age, names (identity) and place of birth. These may include the following and any of these may be provided.

How much does it cost me to get a National Identity Card

i. The National Identity Card shall be issued free of charge for the first time but a fee shall be levied upon replacement.

ii. At renewal; 10 years after Card Issuance, change of particulars, loss or damage of the National Identity Card, you will be required to pay a fee to the bank. Fees have already been gazetted. Please contact your nearest NIRA office to get a form that will help you establish fees payments.

What about renewal of the card?

Answer: There will be need to renew the National Identity Cards after a period of time, which explains the inclusion of this expiry date. However, one’s Ugandan citizenship does not cease on expiry of a National Identity Card.

Provision for an expiry date is a standard practice on identity cards issued by public and private institutions and businesses in Uganda and other parts of the world.

What information do I need to know or prepare before I go to the Registration Centre to be registered as a citizen of Uganda

All applicants are advised to prepare the following information that is on the Enrolment Form, with all necessary supporting documents (If readily available) before appearing at the registration centre for the purpose of being registered;

i. Full name of the applicant

ii. Residential address

iii. Date of birth

iv. Place of birth

v. Indigenous community/tribe to which the applicant belongs

vi. Place of origin

vii. Occupation/profession

viii. Spouse’s name

ix. Parents name, nationality, tribe and clan.

Details of the Enrolment forms will be publicized widely so that everyone prepares the information that they need to fill on the Enrolment form

What do I have to show that I have been registered before I receive the National Identity Card?

After enrolment, you will retain two copies of the Enrolment form. You will present a copy of the Enrolment Form at the Enrolment Centre at the time when the dates for Cards Issuance will be announced.

What does it mean for me after I am registered as a citizen of Uganda?

Upon registration as a citizen of Uganda, you become a legally recognized citizen of Uganda and certain duties, responsibilities and rights accrue;

i. You will be able to assert yourself as a citizen of Uganda;

ii. Perform the duties as required of a citizen;

iii. You will easily access Government services such as health care, free education such as U.P.E. U.S.E, government sponsorship at tertiary institution level, employment within the public civil service and private sector.

iv. You will exercise your right to vote in the Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

v. Right to a Ugandan passport will be easy to assert.

If I turn 18 years, how do I go about applying for a National Identity card?

Where a person turns 18 years, he/she should within ninety (90) days of turning eighteen years apply for a National Identity card.

He/she should state his/her NIN issued to them after their application for registration as a citizen has been approved.

Such a person shall appear in person before a registration officer and shall have all bio-data captured especially all biometrics and face image.

After satisfying the above mentioned requirements, such a person shall be issued with a National Identity Card.

When and where do I get registered if I live outside Uganda? Can I register online?

Government of Uganda is exploring the possibility of having registration at the Embassies. More information will be shared in the due course.

What do I do if I need to change particulars on my Identity card?

This service will be available to persons who have made changes in their civil status. These changes include; change of name after marriage, change of location, change of name, change of sex and others. It is done under the Continuous update.

This service will be accessed in the near future. There will be a process on how this can be done, like filling the forms, and fees payments. Documents needed for this may include

Marriage certificate

Deed poll

School leaving certificates

Statutory Declarations

Divorce certificates

Payment receipt

Any other as the case maybe.

When does Registration resume?

Registration of citizens and Aliens resumes after the 2016 General Elections. Announcements will be made on when and where one can register. This period is called the 0+ Phase two registration because Registration started with Ugandan Citizens aged 16years and above. Ugandan citizens will then be issued with National Identification Numbers and National Identity Cards while Aliens will be issued with Alien Identification Numbers and Alien Identification Cards.

Why is it important that a person goes to his/her place of origin or home district for registration?

Where it is possible, all persons are encouraged to apply to be registered within the parish/sub-county or districts of their origin or residence. This is particularly important because it is most likely the place where you and your parents/ancestors are best known for the purpose of identification and citizenship verification.

For persons originating or with ethnic connections with border communities, you are encouraged to as much as possible go back to these places for registration.